Machine and method for generating electrical power from the motion of a moving towed transport platform

Abstract

Interested parties would like to track the location of one or more towed transport platforms continuously when they are in motion. Existing monitoring systems are powered by a combination of solar power, batteries, and intermittent tractor platform power for electrical power. All of these power sources have limitations in providing power when a towed transport platform is in motion. Solar power is not available at night. Batteries run out of energy and must be recharged. Tractor platform power is not always available to a towed transport platform. The embodiments of the invention convert the kinetic energy of a moving towed transport platform into electrical power, providing continuous power for a monitoring system to operate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A machine for generating electrical power from the motion of a towed transport platform, said machine comprising
 (a) a rotating wheel component physically coupled to said towed transport platform, 
 (b) a magnet physically coupled to said rotating wheel component, and 
 (c) an inductor physically coupled to said towed transport platform, 
 (d) said towed transport platform comprising a means for supporting a load and for being towed on a road, 
 (e) said rotating wheel component comprising a wheel, tire, axle, or other component of a wheel that rotates when said wheel rotates, 
 (f) said magnet comprising a body that produces a magnetic flux external to said magnet, 
 (g) such that said towed transport platform is moving, 
 (h) such that said motion causes the rotation of said rotating wheel component, and 
 (i) such that said rotation causes said magnet to pass by said inductor, 
 (j) whereby a magnetic flux change occurs in said inductor, which induces said electrical power in said inductor, 
 (k) whereby electrical power is generated from said motion. 
 
     
     
       2. The machine of  claim 1 , further including
 (a) an electrical energy storage device electrically coupled to said inductors, 
 (b) said electrical energy storage device comprising a means for converting electrical power into potential energy, 
 (c) wherein said electrical energy storage device converts said electrical power into potential energy, 
 (d) whereby said electrical power is converted into said potential energy. 
 
     
     
       3. The machine of  claim 1 , further including
 (a) a gearing physically coupled to said rotating wheel component and 
 (b) a mechanical energy storage device physically coupled to said gearing, 
 (c) said gearing comprising a means for transmitting rotation from one mechanical system to another mechanical system and 
 (d) said mechanical energy storage device comprising a means for converting rotation into potential energy, 
 (e) wherein said gearing transmits said rotation of said rotating wheel component to said mechanical energy storage device, 
 (f) such that said mechanical energy storage device converts said transmitted rotation into potential energy, 
 (g) whereby said rotation of said rotating wheel component is converted into said potential energy. 
 
     
     
       4. The machine of  claim 1 
 (a) wherein said rotating wheel component comprises an axle of said towed transport platform. 
 
     
     
       5. The machine of  claim 1 
 (a) wherein said rotating wheel component comprises a wheel of said towed transport platform. 
 
     
     
       6. The machine of  claim 1 
 (a) wherein said rotating wheel component comprises a tire of said towed transport platform. 
 
     
     
       7. A method for generating electrical power from the motion of a towed transport platform, said method comprising
 (a) said motion causing a magnet to pass by an inductor, 
 (b) whereby a magnetic flux change occurs in said inductor, which induces said electrical power in said inductor, and 
 (c) said towed transport platform comprising a means for supporting a load and for being towed on a road, 
 (d) said magnet comprising a body producing a magnetic flux external to said magnet, 
 (e) wherein said towed transport platform is moving, 
 (f) whereby said electrical power is generated from said motion.